Alison Weiss at Sky Pony Press has acquired debut author Jessica Taylor's YA novel of magical realism, Invincible Wild, in which a teen Wanderer must choose between the rambling way of life she's always known and the townie boy she falls for, even when all signs portend doom if she stays. The novel was formerly set to publish on Egmont's fall 2015 list and will now publish in 2016; Sarah LaPolla of Bradford Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Reka Simonsen at S&S/Atheneum bought at auction Calla Devlin's YA debut My Body Was Made for This, the story of three sisters who travel with their mother to Mexico so she can receive alternative treatments for her leukemia, while remaining unaware that an illness far more insidious than cancer poisons their home. Publication is scheduled for fall 2016; Faye Bender at Faye Bender Literary oversaw the six-figure deal for world rights.
Brett Duquette at Sterling Children's Books has acquired Cici Reno Knows it All, first in the middle-grade Yoga Girls series by Kristina Springer. It follows a pre-teen yoga enthusiast who helps her best friend get a crush's attention by impersonating her on Twitter, but a friendly favor turns into a social media love triangle. Publication is slated for spring 2016; Andrea Somberg at Harvey Klinger negotiated the deal for world rights.
Erica Finkel at Abrams/Amulet has bought The Boy with Seventeen Senses by Sheila Grau, a middle-grade reboot of "Jack and the Beanstalk" featuring a resourceful boy, a greedy neighbor, and a planet where every inhabitant has synesthesia. Publication is planned for fall 2016; Molly Ker Hawn of the Bent Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.
Sara Sargent at Simon Pulse has acquired YA novel How to Disappear by Ann Redisch Stampler. It's a thriller about a girl on the run after she witnesses – or commits? – a murder, told in alternating points of view by two unreliable narrators. Publication is scheduled for summer 2016; Brenda Bowen at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates did the deal for world English rights.
Lisa Cheng at Running Press Kids has bought debut author Ilana Manaster's Doreen, a contemporary YA take on The Picture of Dorian Gray. The social hierarchy of New England boarding school Chandler Academy is thrown into upheaval after roommates Heidi and Biz take in new arrival Doreen Gray and Photoshop her profile pic. It's slated for 2016; Rebecca Sherman at Writers House negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Meredith Rich at Bloomsbury Spark has acquired debut author Stephanie Scott's contemporary YA novel Alterations, a re-imagining of the movie Sabrina, set in Miami. It tells the story of a shy, hopeful fashion designer caught between her lifelong crush and his awkward, nerdy brother. Publication is planned for early 2016; Sarah LaPolla at Bradford Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Grace Kendall at FSG has bought Jill Diamond's debut middle-grade novel Lou Lou and Pea and the Mural Mystery, about two best friends with a flair for intrigue who uncover a string of mysteries in their community, set against the backdrop of Día de los Muertos. Publication is set for fall 2016; Jennifer Rofé at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the two-book deal for world rights.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin's Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired two picture books by Annette Bay Pimentel: Ann Brooks Goes West (With Her Piano), about a determined pioneer who refuses to leave her beloved grand piano behind when she travels from St. Louis to Salt Lake City; and Girl Running, in which Bobbi Gibb becomes the first woman to sneak into and run the Boston Marathon. Publication is scheduled for 2017 and 2018; Kathleen Rushall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Emma Ledbetter at S&S/Atheneum has bought Tales for the Perfect Child by Florence Parry Heide and Fables You Shouldn't Pay Any Attention To by Florence Parry Heide and Sylvia Van Clief, two chapter books about devious children and not-so-encouraging morals. Both will be illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier (r.). Publication is slated for summer 2017 and fall 2017 respectively; Liza Voges at Eden Street LLC represented the authors and Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator in the deal for world English rights.
Ann Kelley at Random House/Schwartz & Wade has acquired Secrets I Know, a picture book by Kallie George (l.), children's book editor and author of the Magical Animal Adoption Agency series, and debut Argentinian illustrator Paola Zakimi, which shares a host of secrets that can only be discovered if you use your imagination. Publication is set for summer 2017; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the author and the illustrator in the deal for world rights.
